Spraying Thunderbird Epoxy

[Mckenzie]

I'm considering using Thunderbird epoxy for my next bow.  I'm curious if anyone has had much experience with it and what your experiences have been.  I've read that some bowyers use an airbrush to apply finishes, is this method feasible with this product?  Other products that I'm considering are Fullerplast and Krystal.  Thanks in advance . . . MK

[GREG IN MALAD]

I've sprayed a couple gallons of it and am very happy with it. If you get the finish too hot before it has a chance to set up the thinner will gas and leave bubbles. As long as you dont put a space heater in the spray booth it isn't a problem. Been there, did that.
I cant see why an airbush wouldn't work. I have tried several finishes including Fullerplast and epoxy is the best choice for me.

[Mckenzie]

Thanks - I think I'm going to try it.  And I won't put a space heater in the area.  It definitely seems tempting though.  mk

[GREG IN MALAD]

You can use a heater after the finish sets for a couple hours. In the summer it gets to 100 degrees so I spray early in the morning and I dont have any problems, but put a heater in the spray booth when the finish is still wet and watch it bubble. In the winter I heat the shop to 80 degrees when spraying.

[Mckenzie]

Sounds good - I will do some testing prior to doing the real thing.  I'm a big fan of wipe on finishes because it is soooo easy, but the appeal of a super tough finish is tempting me.

[Bodork]

I really like the thunderbird epoxy. I don't like that it takes so long to dry because I don't have perfect conditions but that really hasn't posed any problems for me. I like to brush on a heavy coat or two of the thunderbird high solids sealer to the riser and tips after they have been sanded to at least 220 grit. Sand all of the sealer back off lightly with 150 then 220. This will seal very porous wood like wenge and make it smooth as glass. You may need to re-fill a spot or two on deep grains but the end result is worth the time. It also seals cocobolo and bacote for the final finish. When you spray the thunderbird, don't try to force the finish to go on perfectly smooth. You will most likley cause runs. The thunderbird will lay itself down nicely after several minutes. The gloss puts on a finish a custom car painter would envy. The satin is real nice but the guys that use their bows for hunting usually prefer the flat. Alot of bowyers use the gloss first then mist a coat or two of the flat because the gloss is actually stronger. The mist coat give a texture that is very appealing. One last thing. When you clean your gun, just putting thinner in the cup and spraying some through the gun is not good enough. Dissassenble  your gun and thoroughly  clean every part. This stuff will gunk up a gun in no time. Been there! Good luck, Mike

[woodbender]

im a taxidermist and i use air brush and have sprayed a couple of bows with thunderbird use the bigger tip #5 or #3 i beleive and you need to thin it with the thunder bird thinner. you will have to exspiremint with it on scrap wood till you see it laying on a nice even smooth coat

[GREG IN MALAD]

Good point about cleaning the spray gun. I flush mine with acetone, disassemble it and wipe it clean. Put it back together and pour in a couple ounces of t-bird thinner, swish it around and spray it out. After that I leave the residue in the gun.

[Mckenzie]

Thanks for your help.  I just started cutting lams (and my finger) last night for the bow, so I'm a ways off.  How do you power the airbrush?  Canned air or a compressor?